Each child and family that receives early intervention services must have an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The IFSP is designed for professionals and family members to collaborate as a team to address developmental outcomes for a young child with delays or disabilities. The IFSP is the legal contract between the program and the family regarding early intervention services for and on behalf of the child. The IFSP focuses on functional outcomes and goals for the child’s development, and directs services to family members and caregivers.

IFSP Development is the second in a series of four courses that make up the Foundations for Infant and Toddler Services in Early Intervention. The purpose of this module is to provide guidelines in IFSP development for Early Intervention professionals. Administrators can use these modules to support the professional development and performance of EI personnel they supervise. The content and resources of this module align with the standards of national organizations for personnel preparation programs and performance indicators related to early childhood outcomes developed by the Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

The module has four sessions based on established competencies for IFSP development. Each session contains instructional content delivered through narrated presentations, resource content such as reading materials and websites, activities to integrate content into practice, and accomplishment of specific competencies through participant evaluation.

Objectives

Participants will:

Identify legislation and regulations that impact early intervention services

Describe the required components of Pennsylvania´s Early Intervention Evaluation Report document and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

Make connections between early intervention program, policy, and practice.

Gather information from families that reflect the child and family’s unique strengths, resources, concerns, and priorities

Facilitate the IFSP process in order to promote family understanding and participation in the collaborative process

Establish IFSP outcomes that are meaningful to the child and family and that support learning in the child’s natural routines

Identify resources in your local community

Assist families in accessing services that promote inclusion of the child and family into the community

Provide support to families in accessing family support, family networking, and involvement within the early intervention system

Describe how transitions impact families, children, and professionals

Identify methods to facilitate a smooth service delivery transition for families, children, and professionals.

Develop a transition plan for families exiting early intervention

Target Audience

This training is intended for early care and education practitioners working with children ages 0 – 3 years.

Individuals attending this course must arrive on time and stay the duration of the course in order to receive Act 48 Professional Education hours. Requests for exceptions are to be brought to the attention of the individual´s Superintendent or IU Director prior to the course.

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Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate individuals who have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and who need assistance at this training. Contact: Linda Rhine, at 800-360-7282 × 3712, or lrhine@pattan.net.